Memorandum to lead to strategy to help Treaty 6 inclusion in city

A Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue will not solve the issues of racism in Edmonton, but it is a beginning, says former Treaty 6 Grand Chief Cameron Alexis.

“We, as Chiefs of Alberta and Treaty 6 especially, we do have a concern about racism. Not just overtly but also covertly,” said Alexis. “We need to deal with this in a formalized fashion and I hope this memorandum could be a stepping stone to have a systematic approach to this.”

Alexis and Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel signed the memorandum on July 6, only weeks after the University of Lethbridge released the results of a 2010 survey indicating that over 80 per cent of Aboriginal respondents had experienced some form of discrimination in Edmonton, the city that now holds the second largest urban Aboriginal population in the country.

“(The results of the survey were) very disappointing,” said Mandel. “I thought we were making headway.”

The memorandum signed between the city and the Confederacy of Treaty 6 is one more historic document in an impressive portfolio of paperwork put forward by Edmonton. In 2005, the city became the only Canadian municipality to have an Aboriginal declaration and in 2007 it introduced the Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord.

“Mainstream society needs to begin to understand the challenges that our Aboriginal community faces and become a partner, not an adversary,” said Mandel.

The memorandum, which was signed at the Alexis Sioux Dakota First Nation’s annual powwow, states, in part, “that the well-being of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations peoples and all peoples who live within the boundaries of Edmonton is a shared responsibility.”

The memorandum is the result of almost two years of talks between Treaty 6 and the city examining opening lines of communication and opportunities to work together.

“We have to have formalized, enhanced level of communication and dialogue as opposed to one-offs,” said Alexis, who is Chief of the Alexis Sioux Dakota First Nation. He noted that all 18 First Nations that comprise the Confederacy of Treaty 6 have members residing in Edmonton. Many move to the city, which falls in traditional Treaty 6 territory, to take up residency, to further their education or to seek medical treatment.

 “I think (the memorandum) will begin a systematic approach on all facets of discussions and to enhance it into formalized agreements in which we can work with the municipality and other surrounding municipalities, the province, and the federal government,” he said.

Alexis explains it is important to include all levels of government as the province funds the municipalities and the federal government provides dollars through transfer payments.

The memorandum lays the ground work for the second phase, which will “implement specifics,” said Mandel, to address such issues as housing, education, health and culture.

“I think we can start working on these things to better enhance the chances of our people succeeding, but also enhance relations,” said Alexis.

To that end, as well, Mandel says the city’s Community Service department has community discussions planned in September to address the issue of racism.

“Hopefully to start further dialogue with the community to see … what is driving some of this prejudice and … it’s not just about having First Nations, it’s about having a multitude of cultures and people there to have better relationships and integration within our community of all cultures,” said Mandel.

Photo caption: Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel signs the Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue, with (from left) Assembly of First Nation National Chief Shawn Atleo, former Treaty 6 Grand Chief Cameron Alexis and Vice Chief Stanley Lagrelle.